CHOPIN: NOCTURNES (COMPLETE) VOL. I

played by Idil Biret, Piano

This is a great CD for late at night - the delicate melodies never feeling heavy - just float around you like stars while the bass waves quietly like the sea. Biret captures the nocturne mood - steadily and quietly- almost as if to bring you into a deep trance.

The CD moves through the nocturnes as Chopin had written them, which is interesting because you can actually feel the development of his nocturnes from track to track. And when you have finished the CD and return to the beginning, the progression seems astounding.

The CD insert, though brief, does a rather good job describing where and when each opus was written, leaving the listener with a more satisfied understanding of each piece.

Idel Biret (Ankara) does a good job at imitating the soft touch that Chopin is known for, and besides a few parts of Nocturne in B Flat Minor Op. 9, No. 1 that seem rushed, she does an exquisite performance of all the "night pieces".

CD at Indigo Books for $16.99.

Well worth it!

PIANO METHODS: For The Young Beginner

Bastien Books are an ever popular piano method for Adult Beginners. You know, the one with a black cover and some tacky red and orange poppies? Of course they also have a children's series - which is very nice with glossy covers with each of the following per level: theory,performance and tecnic and artistry, and lesson. Although it is a very nice method book, it is still aimed at the older child, 7 and up. So what about 4, or 5, or 6 year olds who start?

Bastien has a wonderful extention to their children's series, the PRIMER A and B books. There are two books for A, and two for B: Piano Lesson and Theory/ Tecnic. I must admit, that I bought the books because they were glossy, and red, and have coloured pictures inside. (They looked like plin fun to me).



When I started teaching from these books I was surprised at how good they were. Behind the fan fare, the instructions are easy, the lessons are very logical, and it is easily comprehendable by a young child.

Personally, I used the PRIMER A book to start to teach my 4 1/2 year old brother piano lessons, and so far they have been a huge success. It is that same red and glossy cover that got him excited too - and the pictures are a reward to see when you complete a lesson. The music is fine as it can be - but the second half of the book is teacher student duets. All the lessons are coupled with a few theory excercises from numbering your fingers to drawing treble clefs.

Although there are a ton of piano methods courses around, I have not found one directed so well to the young beginner as these.